Why AJ Styles as Champion is a Cracking Move

It is hard to believe that AJ Styles, the current WWE World Champion only made his debut at the Royal Rumble in January. An established in-ring veteran who has accomplished multi achievements throughout his career. He is the only man who can claim to have held the WWE, TNA, NWA and IWGP Championships. He may have gotten off to a lackluster run at the beginning of the year through his promising but draining feud with Chris Jericho. But getting drafted to Blue Brand was certainly a move which helped make him the star of SmackDown Live.

It was the 24 January 2016 when AJ Styles made his debut as the Number 3 Entrant in the Royal Rumble. The joy from a fellow WDD editor was immense. The crowd reaction was incredible and something that was long overdue. He quickly entered a feud with Chris Jericho which spread over two months. They battled at both Fastlane and WrestleMania 32. Shortly thereafter, he entered a feud with WWE World Champion Roman Reigns which saw them have two incredible matches at Payback and Extreme Rules. But it was on the Memorial Day edition of RAW where he made his impact.

John Cena was making his long-awaited return to the WWE, but he was quickly taken out by AJ Styles and The Club. This sparked the first heel turn of AJ Styles in the WWE. The first match between AJ Styles and John Cena took place at Money in the Bank 2016. A match lasting nearly 25 minutes, AJ picked up the victory with a little help from The Club. Soon after, he was traded to WWE SmackDown Live in the first round of picks. His feud with John Cena continued. Following a six-man tag team match at Battleground, the second one-on-one match between AJ and Cena was set for SummerSlam. In an incredible match lasting 23 minutes, AJ was able to defeat Cena cleanly with a Phenomenal Forearm.

From this, he declared himself “The Face that Runs the Place”, the new face of the WWE. This ultimately lead to his third championship match on PPV this year when he battled Dean Ambrose for the WWE World Championship at the inaugural SmackDown Live PPV event, Backlash. In an incredible match, he shone out as the new face of the WWE when he became the new WWE World Champion. Taking the opportunity and running with it is something he has done since coming to SmackDown Live. But there is one important thing which must be taken from his current championship run.

He is making the character he is portraying fresh and unique to those in the WWE Universe. He is doing incredibly well, and is one of those aspects which is making SmackDown Live unmissable television on a weekly basis. His reign will be truly captivating, with an incredible series of matches. As part of the SmackDown Live roster, the list of opponents is mesmerizing. Undoubtedly, another match with John Cena is on the cards. But also the potential for matches with Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler, The Miz, Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt. A long reign is a must for AJ. And lets face it, he could surely be the face of the company going into WrestleMania 33! His first championship defense at No Mercy against Dean Ambrose and John Cena will certainly be a cracker…